Voters across Sweden went to the polls in a closely fought election that could bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government for the first time, or return the centre-left opposition to power.
Polling stations in the country of 10.6 million were due to close at 8:00pm, when exit polls were expected. About eight million people were eligible to vote, and roughly half had already cast ballots in advance. First reliable results were expected several hours after polls closed.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who has led Sweden since 2022 with a three-party centre-right coalition backed by the Sweden Democrats, is seeking a second four-year term. Opposition leader Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats is running to reclaim power.
Opinion polls this week gave Andersson’s four-party left-wing bloc a narrow lead, but the gap narrowed in the final days of the campaign as Kristersson gained ground.
Kristersson announced in April that his Moderates would allow the Sweden Democrats into government if the right wins a majority. The Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots that has moved towards the political mainstream, took 20.5 percent of the vote in 2022 to become the largest party on the right. Kristersson would remain prime minister even if the party finishes stronger.
“It is now up to the Swedish people to decide which direction our country should take,” Andersson told reporters after voting near Stockholm. Her party has pledged to expand the welfare state.
The outgoing coalition has abolished permanent residency for refugees, tightened welfare rules and increased expulsions. Supporters credit the bloc’s policies with curbing gang violence and cutting immigration.
Voting stations were set to close at 8:00pm, with exit polls expected at that time.